A patient who has a stroke usually displays deficits on the other side of the body. For instance, a patient with a right side stroke has left hemiparesis. Which term best describes the location of the weakness in relation to the area of the stroke?
A) Bilateral
B) Contralateral
C) Ipsilateral
D) Unilateral

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Contralateral means the weakness is on the opposite side of the body from the area of the stroke, which is true in this case. Bilateral means the weakness is on both sides of the body, Ipsilateral means the weakness is on the same side of the body as the area of the stroke, and Unilateral means the weakness is on only one side of the body, which is not always the case with a stroke patient.

A Patient Who Has a Stroke Usually Displays Deficits on the Other